Chapter 19
Iris returned to her room, changed into pajamas, and prepared for bed. But before she could lie down, someone knocked lightly on the door.
“A half-naked man is knocking on my door, huh.”
Iris opened the door. As expected, standing outside was the Crown Prince, Cliff, wearing only a robe.
Iris stared at his blonde hair, still dripping with water.
“Don’t you have a servant to dry your hair?”
“I sent everyone away because I wanted to be alone with my fiancée.”
“You’re thorough, aren’t you?”
“Well, we can’t have rumors spreading that we’re sleeping in separate rooms after all that affectionate display.”
“You’re hopeless at taking care of anyone, yet these situations keep happening. Come here.”
Iris pulled him inside, sat him down at her vanity, and began carefully drying his hair with a towel.
“This isn’t what I asked for.”
“Oh, sure it is not.”
“I’ve never met a woman who’d jump at the chance to dry my hair like this.”
“What, were you hoping I’d throw myself at you, charmed by Your Highness’s beauty?”
“Now that I think about it, that might be tough. You must look in the mirror every day too.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re probably immune to beauty.”
“Oh, come on.”
Iris let out a dry laugh as she dried his hair. The Crown Prince gave a short smile.
“Oh, about that kid I brought along. Could you have her join the maids? I’ll take her with me when the trip’s over, but I think she should learn some work in the meantime.”
“For drying my hair, that’s a small price to pay.”
“Good grief, were you not going to agree if I hadn’t dried your hair? Glad I did, then.”
She found her conversation with the Crown Prince surprisingly pleasant. Maybe even enjoyable.
“All done.”
Once his blonde hair regained its shine, Iris set the towel aside and gently combed through it with her fingers.
The Crown Prince closed his eyes slightly, like a cat being petted, which made her laugh, and she playfully tugged at his ear.
“What’s that for?”
“Oh, my mistake. Sorry.”
As she laughed and hung the towel over her arm, stepping back a few paces, the Crown Prince stood up.
He wasn’t as absurdly tall as Jack, but his height, towering well above her head, was still impressive.
“Well, good night then.”
Since she had dried his hair, Iris spoke in a soothing tone, as if coaxing a child to sleep. The Crown Prince, looking displeased, furrowed one brow.
“I’ll take my leave for a moment too.”
“What leave—eek!”
The Crown Prince bent down and lifted her by the waist. Startled, Iris grabbed his head.
“Hmm, this wasn’t what I had in mind.”
The Crown Prince blinked briefly at Iris’s chest, which had naturally come closer as she held his head.
“No…!”
She could feel his eyelashes brushing against her upper chest, they were that close.
Shocked by the sensation, Iris leaned back, and in that moment, their balance faltered, causing them to tumble onto the bed.
“Hahaha!”
“That’s dangerous!”
“No, I just couldn’t shake the feeling of being treated like a kid.”
The Crown Prince lay on his side, twirling the ends of Iris’s hair with his fingers as she lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. She narrowed her eyes in disbelief.
“Even if it’s a contractual relationship, there could be nights when we’re drawn to each other, you know.”
The Crown Prince spoke languidly, casting a shadow over her. Iris crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
“Our dear Crown Prince.”
Iris placed both hands on his cheeks, pretending to caress them before pinching them hard.
“Ugh…! What’s that for?”
“Unfortunately, this divorcee, who’s been through four divorces, is long past getting flustered by such tactics.”
She burst into laughter and let go of his cheeks.
The Crown Prince rubbed his pinched cheeks and then rolled onto his side, pulling her into an embrace by the waist.
“Oh, you’re still at it.”
“I’m just going to sleep.”
“Wow, my first husband said the same thing.”
At that, the Crown Prince furrowed his brows.
“Do you have to bring up your ex-husband in front of your current fiancé?”
“Oh my, I had no idea my contractual fiancé’s feelings would be hurt.”
“You never let me have the last word.”
“If you give me a thousand gold, I might let you win one.”
“If only you weren’t so good with words.”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have survived this long.”
Iris gave a sly smile. Earlier, he said he sent everyone away to avoid rumors about separate rooms, and now he’s saying he’s just going to sleep in the same room.
‘Men and their tactics.’
Iris reached out and flicked off the room’s light. As the room plunged into darkness and the Crown Prince seemed momentarily flustered, she quickly pushed his hands away, wrapped herself in the blanket, and said,
“Good night.”
“…”
A brief silence followed, soon replaced by slow, steady breathing.
“…Asleep?”
“…”
“Really asleep?”
Unfortunately, she was truly asleep.
“Ha…”
The Crown Prince let out a wry laugh and got up. Clinging to a woman who so blatantly showed her disinterest would only leave him with bitterness.
As he stood to return to his room, someone abruptly opened Iris’s door.
“Who’s there?”
The Crown Prince’s tone turned sharp and threatening. The door opened, revealing Jack’s tanned face.
“…I didn’t expect you to be here together.”
“Where are the knights standing guard?”
“It was Lady Iris’s errand.”
Iris had indeed allowed her attendant to enter, but not at this hour of the night.
“What business do you have with your mistress at this late hour?”
“…It’s nothing. I must have made a mistake. I’ll come back in the morning.”
Jack sighed inwardly and started to step back, but the Crown Prince gave a sly smile and said,
“Your ability to move so silently is impressive.”
“…It comes with being a guard.”
“Better than most imperial knights, I’d say.”
“You flatter me.”
“I’m not one to give empty praise.”
There was a hint of displeasure in the Crown Prince’s expression. Given who he was dealing with, Jack tried to retreat quietly, but the Crown Prince wasn’t letting him go.
‘What’s his deal? It’s a contractual relationship, so why is he acting like this?’
Of course, with Iris’s looks, any man would be drawn to her. But the Crown Prince wasn’t the type to give high marks to a woman based solely on her appearance.
‘If I keep getting dragged into this, it’ll only be a hassle for me.’
Jack sighed inwardly and said,
“If we keep talking here, we’ll wake the lady. Let’s step outside.”
The Crown Prince looked at Jack with a “well, look at this guy” expression. It wasn’t exactly the tone a mere servant should use with a Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince glanced between Iris and Jack, then lightly kissed her shoulder, watching Jack’s reaction.
Though Jack tried to keep a neutral face, a slight twitch in his brow was noticeable.
‘Ah, so that’s it.’
The classic tale of a servant pining for his beautiful mistress.
Thoroughly misunderstanding the situation, the Crown Prince stood and followed Jack out to the guest room’s living area.
“I don’t know what Iris asked of you, but don’t come creeping around at this hour. Unless you want unsavory rumors to tarnish my fiancée.”
The Crown Prince made it clear that Iris was his fiancée, assuming Jack didn’t know their relationship was contractual. And Jack thought,
“What a joke.’
The Crown Prince’s behavior, wary of another man, instantly bored him.
Even if their relationship started as a contract, it seemed the Crown Prince had developed some affection for Iris.
‘What does he even know about Iris?’
Thinking this, Jack gave a polite bow and left the guest room.
*Creak, thud.*
Confirming Jack’s departure, the Crown Prince stared at the closed door for a moment before heading back to Iris’s bedroom.
*Thud.* The door closed once more.
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By Anna 💓
